I attended Trails Carolina when I was 13, expecting therapy and healing. Instead, I was isolated, forced on long hikes with barely any support, and met with emotional neglect. The experience left me more traumatized than when I arrived.
Trails Carolina horror stories refer to disturbing personal accounts from former participants of the Trails Carolina wilderness therapy program. These stories often describe harsh conditions, emotional trauma, isolation, and raising concerns about the safety and ethics of such programs.
In this article we discuss about “trails carolina horror stories”
Table of Contents
The Growing Scrutiny Around Wilderness Therapy Programs:
Programs for wilderness therapy have long been promoted as life-changing for problematic young people.
However, families, legislators, and mental health activists are extremely concerned about the latest stories and lawsuits surrounding Trails Carolina, a wilderness therapy camp located in Transylvania County, North Carolina. To have a better understanding of the escalating debate, we examine claims, instances that have been reported, and regulatory reactions related to Trails Carolina in this article.
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What Is Trails Carolina?
In western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains sits Trails Carolina, a wilderness-based rehabilitative program. It positions itself as a program for teenagers and young adults who face emotional, behavioral, or psychological difficulties. Typically, participants engage in outdoor therapy sessions, hike, and camp for weeks.
While the camp claims to offer structured therapeutic support, several former attendees and parents have described disturbing experiences that contradict this image.
DHHS Suspension After Camper’s Death:
2024 Incident: 12-Year-Old’s Death Leads to State Action:
In February 2024, a tragic incident led to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) suspending admissions at Trails Carolina. A 12-year-old boy died shortly after arriving at the camp. According to state officials, emergency services were called the following morning, and the child was declared deceased at the scene.
Authorities stated that the child had “appeared to be deceased for some time,” raising questions about the timing of emergency response and the conditions under which the incident occurred. The state removed all minors from the facility while investigations continue, and a full autopsy report is pending.
Allegations of Misconduct and Mistreatment:
Lawsuits Highlight Reports of Sexual Assault:
Multiple lawsuits have been filed against Trails Carolina in recent years, with former attendees describing experiences of neglect and, in some cases, alleged sexual misconduct by other campers. One high-profile lawsuit involved a former attendee named Gertie Siegel, who said she was 12 when she attended Trails Carolina in 2016. She reported that she was sexually assaulted by another camper and that staff failed to intervene despite repeated warnings.
In her legal complaint, Siegel claimed that staff members did not take her fears seriously and even made her sleep near the individual she feared. She also alleged that a staff therapist placed blame on her for the incident, which, according to the lawsuit, was never reported to authorities.
Another former attendee, Clara Mann, also filed a lawsuit alleging similar neglect and lack of proper response after she reported an assault. Both lawsuits have been settled, and Trails Carolina has denied the allegations, stating that their program is “a place of healing” and that the truth will come out during legal proceedings.
Former Attendees Share Their Stories:
1. Mental Health and Safety Concerns:
Many former participants have spoken out about their time at the camp, describing their experience as emotionally and physically challenging. They claim that they were subjected to long hikes, inadequate food, and insufficient access to mental health professionals.
For example, some have stated they only met with a therapist once a week for an hour, while the rest of the time was spent outdoors in demanding physical conditions. Concerns have also been raised about access to clean drinking water and adequate shelter in harsh weather.
2. Previous Death at Trails Carolina:
Trails Carolina has already been the subject of criticism. A camper allegedly tried to flee the site in 2014 and perished as a result. The 2024 event and this previous occurrence have prompted calls for more stringent national regulation of outdoor therapy groups.
Regulatory Challenges and Oversight Issues:
DHHS Investigation and Staffing Shortages:
DHHS has acknowledged that due to staffing limitations, regular inspections and investigations at facilities like Trails Carolina may not always occur as frequently as required. Although state law mandates annual inspections and complaint reviews, advocates say enforcement is inconsistent.
In the 2024 case, social services staff reportedly tried to access the camp the day after the camper’s death but were denied entry until several days later. Trails Carolina, in response, stated that the delay was due to misunderstanding and procedural issues.
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Trails Carolina’s Response to Allegations:
In public statements, Trails Carolina has maintained that it follows best practices in wilderness therapy and places safety as a top priority. The organization says it adheres to guidelines from the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) regarding nutrition and water purification and ensures all groups have emergency protocols in place.
In response to the 2024 shutdown, Trails Carolina also accused the state of acting hastily, claiming that their removal of the children was based on inaccurate information and caused unnecessary distress to families.
Calls for Change: Advocates Seek Reform or Closure:
Mental health advocates, former campers, and some parents have called for either the closure or stricter regulation of Trails Carolina and similar programs. They argue that unlicensed or loosely regulated facilities can do more harm than good, especially when dealing with vulnerable young individuals.
They are urging lawmakers and child welfare agencies to introduce legislation that enforces licensing requirements, mandatory reporting of abuse, and minimum training standards for staff in such therapeutic settings.
Shocking Allegations from Former Trails Carolina Attendees:
Former participants of Trails Carolina have come forward with disturbing accounts that have left many questioning the legitimacy of the wilderness therapy program. Several former campers claim they were subjected to emotional manipulation, physical exhaustion, and even sexual abuse during their stay. One former attendee, Gertie Siegel, revealed in a lawsuit that she was sexually assaulted at the age of 12 and forced to continue living next to her alleged abuser.
Other participants describe the environment as psychologically damaging, with minimal counseling and excessive hiking through the North Carolina wilderness. These firsthand experiences form the core of the Trails Carolina horror stories that have recently gained national attention.
Tragedy at Trails Carolina: Deaths That Sparked National Outrage:
The most chilling element of the Trails Carolina horror stories involves the tragic deaths of children under the camp’s care. In February 2024, a 12-year-old boy died just one day after arriving at the camp. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) responded by suspending admissions and removing all attendees from the facility. Disturbingly, this was not the first death linked to the camp.
A similar fatal incident occurred in 2014 when a child died while trying to escape. The lack of immediate medical care, questionable supervision, and delayed reporting have intensified public scrutiny and raised serious concerns about the safety protocols in place at Trails Carolina.
Inside the Program: Daily Life at Trails Carolina:
Despite being marketed as a therapeutic wilderness experience, daily life at Trails Carolina is described by former attendees as harsh and grueling. Campers were allegedly forced to hike several miles each day carrying heavy backpacks, often weighing over 50 pounds. Meals were limited to simple food items like peanut butter tortillas and cold oats, and clean water was sometimes inaccessible, with children reportedly drinking from broken filters or muddy streams.
Therapy sessions were minimal—sometimes lasting just an hour per week—and some campers said they felt isolated and ignored when raising serious complaints. These extreme conditions are often cited in Trails Carolina horror stories as evidence of neglect rather than healing.
Lawsuits and Legal Actions Against Trails Carolina:
Trails Carolina has been the subject of multiple lawsuits in recent years, each one uncovering more layers of alleged abuse and negligence. In 2023, Clara Mann filed a lawsuit stating she was sexually assaulted during her time at the camp and forced to interact with her assailant even after reporting the incident. In another suit, Gertie Siegel detailed similar experiences and criticized the camp’s failure to act on complaints.
Prior to their eventual settlement, both lawsuits garnered media attention and sparked calls for responsibility from the general public. A burgeoning online movement revealing horror stories from Trails Carolina and advocating for the facility’s final closure has been sparked by these legal efforts.
State Investigations and DHHS Response:
In response to the growing number of complaints and the tragic death in early 2024, the North Carolina DHHS launched a full investigation into Trails Carolina.
The department suspended new admissions and removed all children from the site, citing concerns about safety and lack of transparency. According to DHHS, the camp obstructed access to its facilities during the initial investigation period, delaying the autopsy and hindering law enforcement efforts. Although Trails Carolina has denied wrongdoing and blamed the state for mishandling the situation, the ongoing investigation could reveal deeper systemic failures. These developments add even more weight to the Trails Carolina horror stories being told by former attendees and families.
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Frequently Asked Question:
1. What are Trails Carolina horror stories?
Trails Carolina horror stories refer to disturbing accounts shared by former attendees and families who experienced or witnessed alleged abuse, neglect, or trauma at the Trails Carolina wilderness therapy program.
2. Has anyone died at Trails Carolina?
Yes, there have been at least two reported deaths at Trails Carolina. The most recent occurred in February 2024 when a 12-year-old boy died just one day after being admitted. Another child reportedly died in 2014 while attempting to run away from the camp
3. Are the horror stories from Trails Carolina true?
Multiple former campers and their families have filed lawsuits with serious allegations, some of which have been settled. While not all stories have been legally proven, the consistency of claims—ranging from physical mistreatment to sexual abuse—has raised significant concern. State authorities have also taken action, including suspending admissions to the camp.
4. What kind of therapy is used at Trails Carolina?
Trails Carolina advertises itself as a wilderness therapy program that combines outdoor activities with clinical therapy. However, many former attendees claim therapy was minimal, with some reporting only one session per week.
5. Why is Trails Carolina controversial?
The controversy stems from numerous reports of child endangerment, poor regulation, and failure to act on serious complaints, including sexual assault. The recent death of a 12-year-old camper and multiple lawsuits alleging abuse have further fueled public outrage, making Trails Carolina horror stories a topic of national concern.
6. Has Trails Carolina been shut down?
As of now, Trails Carolina has not been permanently shut down. However, the North Carolina DHHS suspended admissions and removed all children from the program in early 2024 due to safety concerns. Investigations into the facility’s practices are ongoing.
7. Is Trails Carolina safe for children?
Many former guests and child advocacy organizations contend that Trails Carolina is unsafe due to the horrific stories and legal proceedings. Critics point to dangerous circumstances, a dearth of qualified medical personnel, and inadequate oversight as serious warning signs.
8. What should I do if I suspect abuse in a wilderness therapy program?
Contact your state’s health agency, local child protective services (CPS), or law enforcement if you believe there has been abuse. Additionally, you can file a report with national kid advocacy groups.
Conclusion:
The harrowing experiences shared by former participants of Trails Carolina paint a troubling picture of the wilderness therapy program. From emotional neglect and physical exhaustion to serious allegations of sexual abuse and even deaths, the recurring patterns in these horror stories raise major concerns about the program’s safety, ethics, and oversight. While Trails Carolina continues to defend its practices, mounting legal actions, state investigations, and first hand testimonies suggest the need for urgent reform—or even closure.
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